The Exceptional Presenter (Timothy Koegel)

In the author's own words, "The Exceptional Presenter provides the essential skills, techniques and strategies necessary for you to present yourself and your ideas at an exceptional level, to any audience, in any venue."

Summary
Koegel argues that he has a proven formula for success in public speaking, encapsulated in the acronym OPEN UP.  The exceptional speaker is or works to be:

Organized: "develop a structure that allows you to frame your objective, cover all relevant material, transition smoothly . . . and finish strong."  And don't forget: "Keep it short.  Keep it focused.  Keep it relevant."  There are five components to a good structure:

1. Begin with a purpose
2. Obejctive/Purpose/Mission/Goal
3. Position/Situation/Issues
4. End Result/Benefit/Consequences
5. Next Step/Action Plan/Time Line

Passionate: "Exceptional presenters radiate passion, conviction, and enthusiasm."  "Your non-verbal messages will override anything you say."

Engaging: "Exceptional presenters connect with their audiences.  They build rapport quickly and involve audiences early and often."  There are eleven ways to connect:

1. Speak to the Interests of Your Audience
2. Use Stories, Examples and Anecdotes
3. Eye Contact Is an Essential Engagement Tool
4. Don't Waste Time Talking to Inanimate Objects
5. Smile
6. Use Names Early and Often
7. Get to Your Feet
8. Use Current Events and Periodicals
9. Humor
10. Read Your Audience
11. Get Your Audience Involved

Natural: "Exceptional presenters are natural.  Their style is conversational, and they look completely at ease in front of any audience."  Most people get nervous- even seasoned presenters.  It shows you care.  It's not about avoiding nerves . . . it's using that energy to your benefit.  "Johnny Carson said he was nervous every night prior to his Tonight Show monologue.  He did over 4000 shows."

Understand the Audience: it's rule 1.
Practice: "Mastering . . . skills is a matter of making them habits."


Review
This is okay.  It has a lot of good points, but the presentation is less than ideal.  The author acknowledges that "it reads more like a presentation than a textbook;" perhaps it would be better in that medium.  Additionally, it appears geared towards giving sales pitches and "winning" sales, jobs, etc.  That's one reason to speak, but not the only.

Rating: B